The National Toshaos Council (NTC) and Conservational International-Guyana (CI-Guyana) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday, at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, in the presence of Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, Executives of the Toshaos Council, and representatives of CI.
Alluding to aspects of the MoU, Toshao Lennox Shuman of St Cuthbert’s Mission, explained that CI-Guyana’s role in the partnership was to assist in shaping policy and institutional change at all levels, for a healthy
Head of the National Toshao Council, Joel Fredericks and Executive Director and Vice President of the Conservational International-Guyana, Dr David Singh, signing the MoU in the presence of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock
sustainable Guyanese economy that incorporates a national long-term sustainable development model, which fully incorporates the value and benefits of the well being of the Indigenous People.
The contract signed by both parties is valid for an initial two years, after which the option to have the agreement renewed would be available.
Speaking at the signing, Minister Allicock expressed appreciation for the agreement and encouraged the entities to move forward in their venture for betterment.
The audience was reminded that the NTC is a “body corporate established under the Amerindian Act of 2006 with an elected executive committee of Toshaos and with a vision to establish dynamic leadership comprising all Toshaos, diligently pursuing and protecting the spiritual, cultural, economic and traditional rights and well-being of the Amerindian People of Guyana.”
In accordance with the MoU, CI-Guyana “is a not-for-profit non-governmental organisation (NGO) registered and working in Guyana for over 22 years and as a subsidiary of Conservation International Foundation, CI-Guyana builds upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration to empower societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature, our global biodiversity, for the well-being of humanity.”
